A CME-certified Activity

Activity Overview

Mounting evidence indicates that hyperglycemia in the hospital setting is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia is often the result of poorly controlled diabetes. Because the number of hospital patients with diabetes is increasing, the prevalence of inpatient hyperglycemia is also expected to rise. The occurrence of inpatient hyperglycemia is also increased by the number of patients without diabetes who experience hyperglycemia as result of illness and stress. Hyperglycemia activates mechanisms that can potentially contribute to morbidity and mortality, and it is increasingly clear that control of hyperglycemia in the inpatient setting through the use of insulin therapy can improve health outcomes, regardless of patients' diabetes status. The recognition that glycemic control is important to health outcomes in hospital settings has spurred the development of guidelines for the management of inpatient hyperglycemia. This activity provides an overview of the inpatient hyperglycemia issue and specifics regarding hyperglycemia on intensive care units and general medical/surgical floors. Topics addressed include the definition of hyperglycemia, the scope of the inpatient hyperglycemia problem, mechanisms by which hyperglycemia affects inpatient health outcomes, and current guidelines and strategies for the treatment of hyperglycemia.

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A CME e-newsletter is an online educational activity that was developed from a live symposium. In addition to summarizing the presentations given at the live symposium, an e-newsletter may also provide additional information on the topic. This e-newsletter is based on the satellite symposium, “Much Ado About Inpatient Insulin Therapy: Evidence-based Guidelines & Real-world Application,” presented in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association 66th Scientific Sessions.